Author Archives: Sarah

Review: Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. Candlewick, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic Novel Face Value: This cover is exquisite. First, the dark colors and brooding artwork perfectly capture the gothic tone of the story. Then, when … Continue reading

Posted in Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Review: The Wild Book by Margarita Engle

The Wild Book by Margarita Engle. Harcourt Children’s Books, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Historical Fiction, Poetry Face Value: The colors are beautiful, evocative of the setting and the wildness of Fefa’s imagination. The girl on the cover is visibly Latina, … Continue reading

Posted in Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review: Son by Lois Lowry

Son by Lois Lowry. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Dystopian, Speculative Fiction Face Value: Oh, I love this new set of covers for the quartet that’s being released with Son. Simple and evocative, these covers capture … Continue reading

Posted in Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Election Week Review: The President’s Daughter by Ellen Emerson White

The President’s Daughter by Ellen Emerson White. Feiwel and Friends, 2008 (originally 1984). Currently Available. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Face Value: When this book was originally published, in 1984, it had this cover.** It looks like the 80s, that’s for … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Theme Week, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Election Week Review: Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Hyperion Books for Children, 2008. Currently Available. Genre: Picture Book Face Value: LeUyen Pham is one of my favorite illustrators ever. I love the joyful, expressive way she draws … Continue reading

Posted in Picture Books, Reviews, Theme Week | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

Ask the Passengers by A.S. King. Little, Brown and Company, 2012. Available October 23, 2012. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Face Value: When this cover was first released I didn’t really care for it. The photographic image seemed distinctly less powerful … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Review: The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George

The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George. Viking, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Face Value: There are two covers for this book, and the one I picked up from my library (left) is great. Bright colors … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman

The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman. Small Beer Press, 2011. Currently Available. Genre: Historical Fiction, Science Fiction Face Value: What I like about this cover is the way it captures the story – the line drawings manage to be evocative … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Review: A Certain October by Angela Johnson

A Certain October by Angela Johnson. Simon & Schuster, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Face Value: This cover is perfect. I love it. I can’t stop looking at it. Were I a librarian or bookseller, this would be … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Review: The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford

The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford. Scholastic, 2012. Currently Available. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction (with a bit of fantasy-ish) Face Value: Classic, standard middle grade. This cover doesn’t grab me and scream “Read Me Now” but it’s totally classic upper … Continue reading

Posted in Middle Grade, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment